In the wake of the National Catholic AIDS Network's decision to close its offices this summer, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has said it will continue to offer pastoral care to those affected by HIV/AIDS.

The need for the ministry is "very much" still there, said Father Chris Ponnet, director of the archdiocesan Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry. The ministry offers one to one pastoral care to those who have contracted HIV/AIDS as well as to their families.

It also provides education programs in English and Spanish to parishes and high schools on basic AIDS education and prevention and works collaboratively with the archdiocesan Human Sexuality Task Force and the Office of Religious Education.

Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, said Father Ponnet.

"The big elephant in the room is alcohol," he said. "So often people infected are people under the influence of alcohol. Their guard is down and they experiment with other drugs or they experiment sexually. Alcohol binging sets people up to do things they don't plan on doing, or they don't even remember what they did."

For Catholic ministers working in HIV/AIDS, the ministry is two-fold, he said.

"First, it's about helping people face their reality. The truth sets us free. That's a biblical mandate," said Father Ponnet. "Then there's the Good Samaritan story. We do as a church what we have done well for thousands of years. How do I accompany you now that you are ill? We advocate for people's health care needs and make sure they are not condemned. We are compassionately present to them."

The closing of the National Catholic AIDS Network and its annual conference due to insufficient funding is a big loss, acknowledged Father Ponnet.

"For those going to conference for 20 years, it was more of a retreat process than a conference. It was a wonderful source of strength for those living with disease, those affected by it, and those working in the ministry," he said.

He hopes several local dioceses -- particularly ones in urban centers offering HIV/AIDS ministry -- will find ways to network and to sponsor a conference periodically.

"We will creatively continue to network, slightly differently and more cost effective," he said.

Many parishioners may not notice the difference, he observed.

"For the person in the pew it's not like the Catholic Church is getting out of the AIDS situation," said Father Ponnet. Catholic Relief Services and Caritas will continue to provide direct services nationally and globally.

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, about 15 parishes have religious and lay ministers trained to respond to the needs of those affected by HIV/AIDS. The list of churches can be found at www.circlesofhope.org.

At the upcoming Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, Father Ponnet and Dr. Elizabeth Breen will offer a workshop March 2 on the latest scientific and medical facts about HIV/AIDS as well as stories of outreach, hope and compassion.

The HIV/AIDS ministry in Los Angeles is funded by individual donors, fundraising concerts and events and through talks and retreats given by Father Ponnet. The priest is based at St. Camillus Center for Pastoral Care in East Los Angeles which also provides chaplains to L.A. County USC Medical Center. The center is funded primarily through Together in Mission as well as individual donors.

Editor's note: Father Chris Ponnet, director of the archdiocesan Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry, can be reached at (323) 225-4461, ext. 221.